Brendan Allen is sure he is next up for the UFC middleweight strap.
Allen is set to face Msix fight win streak Marvin Vettori on April 6 at UFC Fight Night. They are ranked seventh and fifth, respectively, in the division. Allen is also riding a six fight win streak. Only the champion of the division, Dricus Du Plessis, has a longer win streak. He believes that a win over Vettori in his main event slot will grant him the next title shot. Brendan Allen’s winning streak includes the likes of Paul Craig, Bruno Silva, Sam Alvey and Jacob Malkoun.
Meanwhile, on Vetorri’s end, he is trying to get back in title contention. With losses to Jared Cannonier, Robert Whittaker, and Israel Adesanya twice, he is looking to make a run of his own. With Adesanya not being the champion now and without a clear title challenger on the horizon, Vetorri sees this as an opportunity as well. This is a crucial match up in the middleweight division. Especially with Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker facing off the following week, a potential title eliminator.
Brendan Allen Shares His Thoughts
Brendan Allen was on MMAJunkie Radio Show and talked about what the future lies for him.
“I feel it’s based on my performance. I think if I go out there and finish him and make it look easy, I think I drop my name in the hat for a title shot,” Allen told MMA Junkie Radio. “But worst case scenario, a true No. 1 contender fight is after that. I really think it just comes down to me. It’s really up to me.
“I think overall, I think this is my fight to lose. I think I’m better in every single place the fight can go. The guy is definitely tough. He can sure take a beating, but I’ve shown I can give one. I really don’t put any emphasis on any of it. I just need to go out there and be me and see where the cards fall.”
If Allen wins this fight, he will sure likely be ranked in the top five of the middleweight division. However, a finish of Marvin Vettori would spring him into as a potential title challenger. Dricus Du Plessis fresh off winning the title back in January at UFC 297, is surely looking for someone to defend it against. We all know the rivalry with Izzy is there. Despite that, there is so much uncertainty in the air about when The Last Style Bender will be back. A statement win by Brendan Allen could make him the clear number one contender in the division.
Quotes taken from MMAJunkie Radio
Do you agree with Allen? A win would make him the number one contender or fight for a title eliminator? Let us know in the comments.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
